Jinja, Uganda
May 1, 2007

Dear friends and family, 

It’s hard to believe that I have only three short weeks left.

Random news:
I am learning to play the guitar... my fingers are killing me! :-)
We've been without power for a couple of days... gotta love candlelight!  ;-) 

Our new schedule is very organized and tight.  I now work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8am-5pm in the Toddler house.  On Tuesday and Saturday, I spend the morning hanging out one-on-one with one of the kids, usually going out to breakfast and then running errands in town.  I spend the evenings in the Toddler house, helping with dinner and bedtime.  Thursday is my official day off, though it’s usually the busiest day!  I give a piano lesson, go grocery shopping, do laundry, and basically recharge!  J  Oh yes, I don’t think I mentioned that I have a piano student here in Jinja!  Richard took a basic keyboarding course which helps him with the foundational theory.  Now, I am teaching him to listen for the chords in a song and be able to play those chords on the keyboard.  I’ve given him three or four lessons already and will only have time for a couple more, so I want to make the most of it and teach him things which he can take and build on, things that matter. 

This last weekend, most of the volunteers went into Kampala to shop at the craft market.  Considering I had just been there earlier in the week, I opted out.  Kampala is a rough trip and one I don’t like to make often.  

I have been thinking lately about being alone.  Isn’t it amazing how one can stand in a crowded room, yet be totally alone?  So many times during this trip, I have felt so utterly alone.  The people, the culture, and the distance between my family and I, threaten to steal the joy I have.  Loneliness is engulfing, yet there is a type of “alone” which I have tasted and now crave.  The kind where you are standing out in a figurative desert, and everywhere you look, there is nothing... nothing to distract you.  Looking up to the heavens, you feel in your heart that you have never been loved more completely or perfectly.  This is the kind of communion with God that I’ve known here and will forever desire.  This is the kind of love that brings tears to your eyes and a smile to your face. 

When I look into the eyes of some of these kids, I see something like empty desire.  Something that hurts to see, but reminds me of the thirst we must have for God.

One request: Please pray for a little girl by the name of Pricilla.  She is now in the hospital in Kampala.  I really don’t know the details, but I heard something about Sickle Cell Anemia.  Pray for wisdom for the doctors and healing for this precious little girl. 

I can’t thank you enough for the prayers and encouragement from each one. 

In His hands,